Members’ Corner I freely admit that I’ve never been especially enthusiastic about primates. Perhaps my disinterest in simians stems from their remarkable similarity to humans, which I’ve always found somewhat disconcerting. Yet these traits are undeniably fascinating, and as inspiration for this installment of the Members’ Corner, I recently viewed several primate-related videos. First up was an episode of the PBS series Nature titled “Clever Monkeys.” It shows the behaviors of various colorful and extraordinary species in South America, Africa, and Asia. It is amazing to see how primates learn to use tools, find food, communicate, and even administer medicine! This knowledge is passed from generation to generation as the young adapt to their surroundings and contribute to the survival of their familial unit. Primates live within complex social systems involving individual relationships, class hierarchies, and power struggles. They exhibit a range of emotions as varied as our own, experiencing anxiety, depression, aggression, and sympathy. While primates may not perceive death as humans do, their emotional display suggests that the difficulty accepting loss of life is a shared trait. Next, I took in a bit of Hollywood monkey business in the form of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, a popcorn movie in theaters this past summer. This premise of this prequel to the classic science fiction series involves the use of chimpanzees in biomedical research, which is an unfortunate fact in the real world. The computer-generated primates are far more animated and compelling than the live actors; however, I found the film enjoyable, not just as an action vehicle, but also as a statement on the deplorable subjugation and exploitation of animals by humans. Finally, I watched the documentary feature Project Nim, which details a controversial experiment conducted in the 1970s in which a new-born chimpanzee was taken from his mother and raised by humans in an effort to develop heightened communication skills. Named Nim Chimpsky (after linguist Noam Chomsky) by the Columbia University professor who initiated the project, the chimpanzee resided with several families as he grew older and more difficult to manage. While Nim did learn over 100 phrases of sign language, this limited achievement came at a great cost—attempting to ‘humanize’ Nim compromised his well-being, and many caregivers were in danger along the way. As frustrating as it is fascinating, Project Nim explores a far too intimate relationship with a wild animal, and a tragic failure of human hubris. Showcasing the similarities and differences between our respective species, these films collectively revised my perspective on our relatives in the wild. I would recommend them for both their entertainment and educational value. If you’ve seen any of these presentations, feel free to send me your thoughts and reviews; I’d love to hear from you.
Of the more than 600 species of monkeys, apes, and other primate species and subspecies living throughout Central and South America, Africa, Madagascar, and Asia, nearly half are in danger of extinction, in large part do to the callous actions of humans. Conservation efforts are now critical to prevent the disappearance of these magnificent creatures. GREATEST THREATS TO PRIMATE SURVIVAL Habitat loss and fragmentation: Devastating deforestation in tropical areas due to increased demand for wood and other forest products and agriculture use is leaving many animals homeless. Hunting: Bushmeat from primates is widely consumed in Africa and other areas, and dead primates and their parts are desired as ‘trophies.’ Illegal Trading: Tens of thousands of primates, both live and dead, are sold annually for food, medicinal use, research purposes, and as pets. Research: Recent reports indicate that local populations of monkeys are shrinking due to capture for breeding for research. Based in part on information found in Conservation International’s Primates in Peril, 2008-2010. PHOTO BY VEER
Chris Derer Director of Development & Member Services
PRIMATE THREATS
32 2011 PRIMATES & SCIENCE